Bow-clamping device.



B. T. STEINER. BOW GLAMPING DEVICE,

APPLICATION FILED MAR 16, H110 1,128,541.

RENEWED APR. 20, 1914.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

B. T. STEINER.

BOW CLAMPING mivmi.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 1 J10, RENEWED API(.20.1914. 1,128,541

Patented Feb. 16. mi.

UNITE STATES BABNET'IE T. STEINER, 0F CANTON, 0H1 TUBING COMPANY, OF CANTON,

o, ASSIGN R T0 was GILhTAM numeraconro, A consort/melon or 01110.

BOW-CLAMPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

Application filed March is, 1910, Serial No. 549,155. Renewed April 20, 1914. Serial in. 383,181.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be it known t at I, BARNETTE T. STEI- NER, a citizen of the United States, r'esid-. ing at Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Bow-Clamping Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates clamping device for vehicles adated to farilitate the positive clamping of t e hows of a collapsible vehicle top in closed position, and the releasing of the bows when the top is to be opened.

For the purposes of illustration I have, in the accompahying drawings, shown and herein described, one form of bow rest embbdying my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a Vehicle, showing a bow rest embodying my invention, in use. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the bow rest, parts being shown in section. Fig. 3 is an elevation looking towardthe right of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a bow rest and clamp, partly in section to facilitate the illustration "taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are transverse sectional views on the lines 7-7 and 8-8, respectively, of

to a bow rest and Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9- 9 of Fig. 5.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a vehicle hav-' ing a collapsible top 1 supported in any usual or preferred manner by bows 1.".

2 indicates a bracket or arm, having an opening 2, preferably of conical shape, at or near its free end. The bracket or arm 2 is secured to the body of the vehicle in any preferred manner.

3 indicates as an entirety a support preferably depending from the bracket 2. The Upper end 3 of the support is reduced. and extends through the opening ,2 of the bracket 2. The reduced end is preferably.

provided with screw threads 3 to ta e a hill; 3.

3* indicates an. expanding comically shaped collai'surrounding the reduced ortion 3 of the support 8- and adapte to closely lit the opening 2. By [screwing deal: an eat 3 115011 manna are 3-,

the. collar 3 will be contracted into snug engagement, with the reduced end 3 and re suit in rigidly seciiring the support 3 to the bracket 2. The lower end of the sup ort 3 is provided with a laterally exten ing arm 3 3 indicates a rest, relative to which a clanip device, indicated as an entirety at 5, moves to clamp and release the bows 1 of the top 1. This rest preferably comprises a semi-circular plate provided with a sleeve or collar 3 fitting over the arm 3. A suitable set screw is provided for fixing the-rest at position desired on the arm 3*. The late 3* operates as a rest to receive and support the bows 1 when the top is closed, as shown in Fig. l. I

The support 3 preferably comprises a nlain'supporting inember 3* and a s'upplemental or auxiliary support 4. As shown at 3, the main support 3 is extended laterall to form a base. The base 3 may be formed with an opening 3 to receive the supple mental support 4. H 5 a 4 indicates a pin key extending through suitable apertures forined in the support 3 and spindle 4 for rigidly securing the latter in the rec'ess 3 4) indicates a series of ratchet teeth pro vided along one side of the supplemental support {1. p p

The clamp device 5 is slidingly mounted upon the spindle 4 and also rotatable thereon in order that the clamp device may be swung into the position ,mdicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 to facilitate the closing of the bows. The clanip device 5 prefcrably comprises a slidable member 5 such as a sleeve, carrying a laterally extending late-supporting arm 5 and a locl -and-reease or interlockihg mechanism 6 for locking and releasing the clamp device.

5 indicates a plate, preferably of semicircular shape, adji staoly mounted upon the arm 5. The plate 5 is preferably similar iii construction to the (plate or rest 3 and may be adj'ust'ably fixe to the arm 5 by a set screw 5. This plate alines with the plate or rest 3 and, engages the uppermost at 6 This casing 6 is detachably secured to the sleeve 5 by suitable devices, such as screws or bolts, 6", 6".

6" indicates an opening formed in the casing (3 and arranged to alme with an openin 5 formed in the adjacent side oftheslidable member 5.

6, 6, indicate a pair of supports arranged within the casing 6 6 indicates a pin or shaft supported by the supports or plates 6. I

(3 indicates a. pawl pivotally mounted upon the pin 6. The pawl 6 preferably extends upwardly and through the allned openings 5"", 5 in the casing 6* and sleeve 5, rcsoectively, so that its free end engages witln the ratchet teeth 4 of the supporting member 4.

6 6, indicates a pair of arms fixed to the pawl 6 and extending rearwardly therefrom.

(S indicates a thrust rod extending be-- tween the arms 6. The thrust rod is provided with screw threads adapted to receive nuts 0 which are arranged upon and engage with the opposite sides of the arms 6, whereby the operation of the pawl 6' may be controlled by the rectilinear movement of the thrust rod 6 6 indicates a collar or spacing device interposed between one of the nuts 6 and an abutment 6 to limit the movement of the pawl 6 in one direction. The abutment 6. is forn'ied with an opening 6 through which the thrust rod 6' extends. It will be understood, that by adjusting the nuts 6", 6, the pawl 6 may be regulated or adjusted to operate in a positive and accurate manner.

The upper end of the thrust rod 6 extends through the casing and is provided at its free end with a cap or push button (3. The casing 6" is preferably provided with a tubular projection 6 over which the capor button 6" slidably fits. This construction of cap and tubular projection operates as a guiding device for the upper end of the thrust rod, it being guided near its opposite end by the walls of the open ing (3 formed in the abutment 6.

6 indicates a spring, preferably coiled around the rod 6 ()no end of the spring 6 engages the abutment G, and. its opposite end engages with the cap 6. The spring (3 operates to normally thrust the rod upwardly and to throw the pawl 6 outwardly and into engagement with the ratchet teeth 4" provided on the spindle 4-.

It will be understood that by pressing downward upon the cap or button 6", the pawl will be rcliased from the teeth 4, whereby the clamp member 5 may be elevated and rotated on the supporting memher 4:, or it may be entirely removed there- \Vhen the vehicle top is thrown up, the

clamp device lies in. the position indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, with the lower end ofthe sleeve 5 engaging with the base 3.

7 indicate interlocking devices between the support 3 and clamp device 5, operating to prevent rotation of the clamp device when in its lowermost position. These devices preferably comprisea pin 7 carried by one of the parts, and an aperture 7* formed in the other part and adapted to receive the pin 7. In the construction illustrated, the pin 7 is supported by and exends upwardly from the base 3, and fits into the aperture 7 formed therefor in the clamp device.

indicates a cushioning'and yielding device preferably comprising a coiled sprin supported in a recess l in the upper en 01'' the supplemental support 1.

4 indicates a screw or other device for securing the cushioning means in position.

The cushioning and yielding device. 8 extends beyond the upper end of the supple mental support 4 and engages with the end wall of the sleeve 5" to prevent the latter from falling into its lowermost position with a jar, which might result in fractur ing the clamp device 5. It will be understood that the device 8 being yield-able, is placed under compression when the clamp device 5 is operated to clamp the bows 1. In this manner it tends to push the clamp member upwardly, thus cooperating with the spring is to maintain the loci: and release mechanism in operative engagement with the ratchet teeth 4", and at the same time overcoming any tendency of the parts to rattle.

In the operation of my clamp device, it will be understood that prior to the closin of the vehicle top, the pawl U released from the ratchet i by the downward. pressure upon the button 13*, whereupon the clamp device i elevated and rotated on the supplemental support i into a position at substantially right a ngles to its normal position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig l. \Vhen the clamp device is in this posilion, the bows of the vehicle top may be swung downwardly in closed position with the lowermost bow resting upon the nlate 3", and the other bows of the series of bows superposed above it. The clamp device 5 then moved back into normal position and pressed downwardly against the uppermost bow. As the clamp device is pressed downwardly in this manner, the pawl (3 will automatically engage with one of the ratchet teeth 1" and lock the clamp lievice in this position, thus securing and holding closed all of the bows. It will be understood that in operating the clamp device to permit the closing of the bows, it may be entirely removed from the support 4, and after the bows have been closed the a spindle clamp device may be replaced upon the support and the bows" clamped, as above described.

To those skilled in the art of making devices of the class described, many altera- 00118 in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my inventionnvill suggest themselves, without depiirtlng from the spirit and scope thereof. i v disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, a nd are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is 1. A bow supporting and clamping mechanism comprising a base, including a rest on which the lowermost bow of the vehicle top is supported, a support mounted thereon. a clamping member arranged to slidingly tit over said support, the said clamping member including a plate arranged to engage the uppermost bow of the top, interlocking mechanism between said clamp member and said support, and a casing inclosing said interlocking mechanism, removably' connected to sald clamp member.

2. A bow supporting and clamping mechanism comprising a rest or base member, mounted thereon and provided with a series of ratchet teeth, a clamp member slidingly fitting said spindle, a casing detachably connected to said clamp memher, a pawl mounted within said casing, the casing and clamp member being provided with alined openings to permit the pawl'to engage the teeth of said spindle, and a. spring operated rod slidably mounted within the ,casing the free end of the rod extending through the casing to permit its 0 oration.

3. A bow supporting an clamping mechanism comprising a rest or base member, a spindle mounted thereon and provided with a series of ratchet teeth, a clamp member slidingly fitting said spindle, a casing detachalily connected to said clamp member, a pawl mounted within said casing, the casing and clamp member being provid with alined openings to permit the pawl to engage the teeth on said spindle, a spring operated rod slidably mounted within the raising for operating said pawl, the free end of the rod extending through the casing to permit its operation. and means carried by the free end of the rod for guiding and supporting said end.

-4 in a bow rest and clamp for a vehicle top. the combination of supporting means provided with a rest with which the bows of a vehicle top engage when closed, and an auxiliary support. a clamp device slidingly mounted on the auxiliary support and provided with a bow-engaging plate cooperating with the rest when the bows are clamped. means for securing the clamp device in clamping position on the auxiliary for operating said pawl,

support. and cushioning means .for the locked position.

5. In a bow rest and clamp for a vehicle top. the combination of supporting means provided with a rest with which the bows of a vehicle top engage when closed, and an auxiliary support. aclamp device slidingly mounted on the auxiliary support and provided with a hmv-engaging plate cooperating with the rest when the bows are clamped, means for securing the clamp device in clamping position on the auxlliary support, interlocking devices between the auxiliary support and the clamp device for positioning the latter when the bows of the vehicle top are thrown up or folded down, and a yieldable device interposed between the auxiliary support and the clamp device normally maintaining the interlocking devices in operative position and permitting their operation to release the said clamp device.

6. In'a device of the character described, the combination of supporting means including a rest on which the bows of a vehicle top are supported when collapsed, a clamp member mounted on said supporting means and arranged to be adjusted thereon up and down and angularly, the said member being provided with a plate cooperating with the rest to clamp the bows therebetween, a coil spring surrounding the axis about which the said clamp member swings when moved angularly and arranged to be compressed when said clamp member is moved downwardly and clamped, and spring-controlled means arranged below the coil spring for holding the clamp member in operative position.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of supporting means arranged at one side of a vehicle. and provided with a rest on which the bows o the vehicle top are supported, a clamp member mounted on said supporting means and arranged to be adjusted vertically and angularly relative thereto, the said member being provided with a plate arranged to engage the uppermost bow of the top and cooperate with the rest to clamp the bows therebetween, a coil spring interposed between the supporting means and the clamp member and surrounding the axis about which the clamp member swings when adjnsted angularly and arranged to be compressed when said clamp member is moved downwardly, and spring-controlled means for holding said clamp plate and supporting means in adjusted position relative to each other and against the tendency of said spring to separate them.

8. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a pair of members hav ing Mm engaging platen arranged in purt and clamp the horns between Ha m. um of biilhi lllkliibtlS wing stutimmiw 21ml prw riflvd with ratchet tvtii, mid lie nthuof Mid mmnbvrs being mm'abie rviatire to said iirstiueiitionmi member and provided with n pivoted pmvl arrnngmi to engage the ratchet teeth 01' said first-mentiuiwd inmrr iiul', 1 ringcontrulied im-uns Commented with mid pawl and npvruting to swing its tvrtirvngag ing 0nd iatwriiiy and into unyzigcinunt irii b'ili i rufr'hct 100th. am! a Spring inter puswi between Sui-ii members nornmily op erating to inure said movable nllfl'il flil \'cr-- ticully. and miiperuting with mi! springvuutrullvrci 111011115 for the pawl m iiwld the lultrr m ungugemunt with I mid rzilchri;

in :i (lm'im: 01 tin= character (iw'criimii, Um (:nmhinutimi of u bummrting mean; inrhuliivg rwt nu \vhivh the Imws of a reiiiclc (up ui'v Mippurtwi when (HHQPHXL a dump iiwmbvr mmmtmi on said supporting; mum! and arranged in be, iu'ijusuwl therrun up and down and angularly, the said moml'wr being prmidwi with a plutv miipurat- .iru m im' iluism'sp iv; 2:

Ti Jii i W itnmaxes BI-IRTHA ()RKINHHR. (InAs. M. BALL. 

